UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I have lost my left lens ! What will it cost for a replacement anyone know? I have spent the last 4 hours searching and cant find it. So am managing with one lens
Its tiring having only one lens, luckly I am only working until 1 tomorrow,

Hi Donna

I really feel for you. It is so easily done and so horrid when you do. try not to panic or get too upset - this is something that does just go with the territory and we cannot be defeated by it.

Where did you loose it?

I have lost my lenses on several occaisions and if it is inside I have always found it - eventually. You just have to believe in the constancy of matter (and/or pray to St Anthony).

Is there anyone with better eyesight than you that you could call to come and help you - I have searched for hours before calling on a friend or family member who walks straight in and points to it on the floor.

You could try searching with a torch - CSI do this to focus their area of search and force themselves to be systematic. You could also try the sock over the hoover pipe trick.

If it really is lost - replacing mine has cost me between £45 and £250 depending on the type of lens - that's the main reason I got myself referred to the NHS hospital, arguing that i was persistantly loosing mine because they didnot fit properly.

it is still worth having another look in the morning - when you have daylight and fresher eyes.

Good luck

Brigid

thanks Brigid.
I have done the hoover/sock thing and my son has looked aswell. I will have another look after work.
this is the 3rd time I have lost one now, wish we could have a buy one get one free deal
Really hope I dont have to get a replacement

Donna

Unsure about opticians way of dealing with this, but hospital lens centres I think will arrange for a free replacement, otherwise I think it will be the NHS lens charge of about £50.

Benefit of getting lens through high street like you did, is that they can usually get a lens to you quicker than the lens clinic in the hospital.

Hope you get on OK.

Thanks Gareth, I am having one last look after this cuppa then I will call the optom.
I have managed today but have a headache and am tired. I dont want to wait too long before admiting defeat and asking for another one.
One last look........

Donna,

It does take time getting used to seeing with just one lens.

Hopefully you will get used to it and feel less tierd and the headache will go.

Donna,

Have you
- Double checked your lens case/cases? I've sometimes found one stuck the lens case/other side of the 'bucket'
- Looked in the area but where you'd least expect to find it e.g suckered to the side of the outside of the sink. My lenses like to hang on to everything!
- Looked in your stockings?

Ed

I have looked again and cant find it I lost it in my bedroom, I felt it hit my hand as it fell and have no idea where it is now. I have looked and hoovered everywhere now.
Just called the optom and its his day off I left a message for him, so hopefully tomorrow he will order a replacement.
Gareth can you manage to drive and work with only one lens in? I do get good corrected vision with the lens, it feels odd though but as you say it takes time to adjust.
Do you always find yours Eddie? The area I lost this one is empty of things for it to cling to and the only thing it could have gone under is my bed, where is the damn thing!! Its driving me mad! I have spent hours now looking.
I had a complete melt down over the phone to my mum all about how daft it is to rely so heavily on the lenses and how much I hate having KC etc And how everything is fine...back at work..lenses are fab then I lose one! I did feel better after my rant and cry. Its hard isnt it!

Donna,

I do drive with one lens, but only after I had got used to doing the ordinary every day stuff first. To make sure I waas genuinly OK even though I achieved the sight standards to drive, I explained the situation to a local driving instructor who assessed my driving. This gave me confidence to drive with one lens and when it looked like I may have to do that permanently I retook my Advanced Driving Test sighted in one eye and passed that. The examiner did not know about my sight problems when he asked for my associate membership number and I gave him a full membership card because I had already passed about 5 years earlier!

Thats great Gareth! I know someone who has virtualy no sight in one eye and passed her test with no problems. I have been ok today but tired and had a dull headache. Could be because I was upset last night though.